Peacock Flock Book Review #9 - Golden

Peacock Flock Book Review #9

Golden

Author: Cameron Dokey

Length: ~ 179 pages

Genre: Fantasy (Fairy-tale retelling) 

Heat level: Clean

Stars:  3.5 Somewhere Between Stars 

          

Book Summary:

Before Rapunzel's birth, her mother made a dangerous deal with the sorceress Melisande: If she could not love newborn Rapunzel just as she appeared, she would surrender the child to Melisande. When Rapunzel was born completely bald and without hope of ever growing hair, her horrified mother sent her away with the sorceress to an uncertain future. 


After sixteen years of raising Rapunzel as her own child, Melisande reveals that she has another daughter, Rue, who was cursed by a wizard years ago and needs Rapunzel's help. Rue and Rapunzel have precisely "two nights and the day that falls between" to break the enchantment. But bitterness and envy come between the girls, and if they fail to work together, Rue will remain cursed... forever.


Review:

So we were presently surprised with this book. It's a retelling of Rapunzel. Despite the fact that it's by the same author as a number of books in this series that we didn't like, this was interesting and had enough in the plot to keep us reading. (Although we must admit that Tangled is by far the best adaptation of this story we've every seen!) And shocker of shockers we might actually pick this book up again, more than once! :D The characters were well developed and felt real enough to draw us in. There were a number of scenes between the main man and Rapunzel which we quite liked. The romance also started early which helped. Oh and this biggest twist of this book? Rapunzel is bald and has been since she was born. Pick up this book and figure that one out!

That's it from the flock!

Peacock Flock Book Review #8 - Snow

** Sorry this is a couple of days late, I was the Maid of Honour for my sister's wedding this past weekend. Y'all know how that goes sometimes. Cheers.

I mean, the uh peacock flock had to chow down on some wedding cake, so (cough, cough) they couldn't write the review. :P

Peacock Flock Book Review #8

Snow

Author: Tracy Lynn

Length: ~ 259 pages

Genre: Fantasy (Fairy-tale retelling) 

Heat level: Clean

Stars:  2.5  Somewhere Between Stars 

          

Book Summary:

The Duchess Jessica's childhood began with a tragedy: her mother's death. Her father, heartbroken at the loss of his beloved wife, could not bear to raise the child. Largely ignored, Jessica spent the first eleven years of her life running free on the family estate, cared for only by the servants.

Then her father decides to remarry, bringing an end to Jessica's independence. At first her new stepmother just seems overly strict. But as Jessica grows into a beautiful young woman, it becomes clear that her stepmother is also wildly -- and murderously -- jealous of her.

Jessica escapes to London. Going by the name Snow to hide from her family, she falls in love with an odd band of outcasts who accept her into their makeshift family. But when her stepmother appears in the city, repentant and seeking her forgiveness, Jessica will have to decide whom to trust...with her life.

Review:

So we don't think we'll ever pick it up again. It's a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Except in this one there's only 5 'dwarves' -which are actually half human/half animal type being. Oh and there's no kiss to wake Snow up after she sleeps. (She also asleep for years! Gah!) There's no real magic, per se, just a lot of witchery and mechanical/electrical type stuff. Pretty creepy actually. The main guy that Snow falls for comes as a bit of a surprise, (the bad kind, not the good kind) and there's hardly any scenes between the two of them. It was interesting how they did -finally- wake Snow up, and there was quite a cute ending to it. But umm yeah. We weren't that impressed. 

That's it from the flock!

Peacock Flock Book Review #7 - Beauty Sleep

Peacock Flock Book Review #7

Beauty Sleep

Author: Cameron Dokey

Length: ~ 186 pages

Genre: Fantasy (Fairy-tale retelling) 

Heat level: Clean

Stars:  2.5  Somewhere Between Stars 

Book Summary:

The Princess Aurore has had an unusual childhood. Cursed at birth, Aurore is fated to prick her finger at the age of sixteen and sleep for one hundred years -- until a prince awakens her with a kiss. So, to protect her, Aurore's loving parents forbid any task requiring a needle. 


Unable to sew or embroider like most little princesses, Aurore instead explores the castle grounds and beyond, where her warmth and generosity soon endear her to the townspeople. their devotion to the spirited princess grows as she does. 
On her sixteenth birthday, Aurore learns that the impending curse will harm not only her, but the entire kingdom as well. Unwilling to cause suffering, she will embark on a quest to end the evil magic. The princess's bravery will be rewarded as she finds adventure, enchantment, a handsome prince, and ultimately her destiny.

Review:

So it wasn't great. It's a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. We didn't like not knowing who the main romantic interest was going to be. A love triangle is fine. But make it clear that she's got to choose between them. When the reader has no idea what's going on in her head? Yeah not good. Plus there were a lot of coincidences, and definitely not enough challenges. Everything just seemed a little too easy. We like there to be a happy ending but sometimes it's okay to not be sure whether or not it'll work out. We kept waiting for a dragon to pop out or something. Didn't happen. Plus there was a 'double life' type twist at the end that really just sort of ruined it. Oh and the main character Aurore - Sleeping Beauty- actually only slept for like 30 seconds. We know right? Come on. It had some cute parts. But we won't pick it up again. And unless you're really in a drought of good things to read, don't get it.

That's it from the flock!